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69
REPORT ON THE WELFARE SERVICES
F.J.Meacock. M.I.S.W. Chief Welfare Officer
Introduction
I am pleased to submit this annual report upon the development
of the welfare services in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames,
particularly during the year ended 31st December 1969. I have endeavoured
to outline the main objectives and to make an appraisal of
some of the services.
The basis of future development is of course the "Ten Year
Plan for the Development of Welfare Services of the Borough", which was
submitted to the Ministry of Health in accordance with Circular 14/65,
and which has been the subject of revision during the past three years.
Reference was made in last year's report to the limitations
imposed on the development of the welfare services in the borough, as a
result of the Government's economic policy. This continued throughout
the year under review and the development has been within strict limits,
I hope the information produced will give some indication of
the importance of the welfare services and I would like to thank members
of the staff for their contribution during the year under review.
WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY
In view of the limited number of beds available for Part III
accommodation, every effort has been made to supply as many of the
domiciliary services as possible in order to relieve the pressure and
demand for vacancies in the welfare homes.
The demand for places has been as great as in previous years
and this will undoubtedly continue in view of the expected increase in
the aged population in the years to come. Some progress has been made
but the situation which nationally gives cause for concern and apprehension
as the population progressively ages is the provision of more and better
old people's homes. The first line of defence is the provision of the
necessary care and attention in the old person's own home, before he or
she has progressed to a condition where care and attention in an old
people's home is necessary. It is the independence of the individual